EP1347696B1 - Sealed package for cosmetic product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention mainly concerns a package for liquid cosmetic, providing good sealing condition and a neat appearance. Said package comprises a small vial (1) whereon is mounted a mopping element (3), the vial (1) being associated with a cap (2) coupled to a rod (20) whereon is mounted a brush (21). The vial (1) is produced in a single piece by injection moulding of plastic material in various points distributed along the circumference of a corresponding mould, and arranged proximate to the opening (14) of the vial (1). The sealing condition is provided by the contact of a bulge (24) extending radially and arranged on the side of said opening (14), a matching deformation (22, 23) provided in the cap (2) producing a clip-on closure co-operating with a boss (13) of the cap (2).

Description

The present invention relates primarily to a packaging for containing a cosmetic product, liquid or pasty, in particular mascara.

The invention applies to the field of conditioning in cosmetics. A cosmetic product package, such as mascaras, eye shadows, lip glosses or underlays, usually consists of an open bottle provided with a wiper of flexible material and a capsule on which is secured a rod terminated by an applicator for applying the product contained in the bottle, for example a brush or a mascara comb, a brush or a foam tip.

The capsule is screwed onto the bottle. When the applicator is removed from the vial, a radially extending inner lip of the wiper comes into contact with the applicator to remove the excess product.

One of the most important aspects concerns sealing problems related to the volatility of cosmetic products.

To obtain this seal, for example in the case of a locking by screwing, it is known from the state of the art a solution and a variant of this solution, as illustrated respectively in FIG. Figures 1 and 1a (enlargement) on the one hand, and Figures 2 and 2a (enlargement) on the other hand. In both cases, the capsule 2 is screwed onto the neck of the bottle 1 by helical thread 100 along the longitudinal axis X'X.

According to the state of the art, the seal is ensured between the capsule 2 and the neck of the bottle 1 via the wiper 3 which is usually used as a seal because of its flexibility. The deformation of the wiper 3 is axial and essentially localized (axial force F ₁ ) on the peripheral rib 4 of the capsule.

However, the screwing is effective only if the locking force is sufficiently high. Under these conditions, the relatively complex contact surfaces S1 and S2, between the capsule 2 and the wiper 3, and between the wiper 3 and the neck of the vial 1, generate solvent leakage by capillarity. In addition, a too vigorous tightening deteriorates the contact range by permanent deformation (creep of the plastic material): the effectiveness of the subsequent closures is degraded.

The variant, illustrated by the sectional views of Figures 2 and 2a , makes it possible to multiply the contact force between the capsule 2 and the wiper 3 by the cone shape of the stem head 20 of the capsule. This cone effect makes it possible to ensure a seal by a lower clamping force than in the previous case, but the cone effect induces a radial deformation (component F, of the contact force F ₂ ) of the wiper assembly - Vial neck, which increases sharply until disrupting the operation of the thread, following repeated openings and closings performed by the user. Capillary leakage surfaces S2 and S3 remain as large and the creep deformation of the plastic is accelerated.

In addition, these known solutions impose a non-negligible and unsightly axial clearance Z between the end of the capsule 2 and the shoulder of the vial neck 1. This clearance is functional and ensures a safety of reach between the wiper seal and the capsule.

Furthermore, only the screw is deemed to be able to achieve a sufficiently effective seal for cosmetics, and any other closure technique is a priori rejected. This "prejudice" is reinforced by the closing safety considered as incomparable that seems to offer screwing compared to other means of closure. These supposed advantages mask the drawbacks of the screwing in its daily use: opening time, painful rotational movement, blocking possible after several uses.

An object of the invention is to ensure excellent sealing of the packaging.

More specifically, the invention relates to a packaging for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a bottle on which is mounted a wiper, the bottle having a neck opening on an opening, and a capsule coupled to a rod on which is mounted a brush. The sealing of this packaging is provided by radial annular contact of the capsule directly on the neck of the bottle.

• le contact annulaire radial est effectué entre un nervurage circonférentiel de la capsule et une zone cylindrique du col de flaconnette, dont les qualités de surface sont réglées ;
• les moyens de verrouillage entre la capsule et la flaconnette sont dissociés de la zone d'étanchéité du col de la flaconnette.

According to particular embodiments:

• the radial annular contact is made between a circumferential ribbing of the capsule and a cylindrical zone of the vial neck, the surface qualities of which are regulated;
• the locking means between the capsule and the bottle are dissociated from the sealing area of the neck of the bottle.

Under these conditions, the capsule / vial junction is advantageously located on surfaces of simple geometry between the circumferential ribbing and the cylindrical zone.

The contact forces, generated by a tight fit between the sealing surfaces, are dissociated and independent of the stresses exerted on the locking member. Thus, any loosening related to the creep of the plastic at the locking does not affect the sealing performance.

The quality of the junction can be optimized by finishing work on the molds, in particular on the dimensional accuracy, the geometry and the surface condition of the molding parts relating to the circumferential ribbing of the capsule and to the cylindrical zone of the neck. the bottle. In particular, any technical element that induces surface irregularities, such as joint plane, ejector, vent, etc., is excluded on these molding parts.

In addition, the sealing contacting forces being radial, they induce a conformation of the contact surfaces on one another, without axial component which tends to separate the capsule from the bottle.

Such a conformation effect also makes it possible to equalize the surface micro-irregularities and to stabilize the forces, while compensating the dimensional tolerances of production. This effect can be advantageously reinforced by an over-adjustment of the tightening of the ribbing diameter on the neck diameter of the bottle, taking into account the hardness of the material and its resistance to creep.

Thus, capillary leakage is greatly reduced or even eliminated, and the junction vial - capsule has a tolerance of adjustment sufficient to eliminate any unsightly play between the capsule and the shoulder of the neck of the bottle. In addition, this tolerance makes it possible to screw-align the capsule on the bottle so as to adjust a particular shape, such as square, polygonal, oval, etc., of these parts.

The locking between the capsule and the bottle can be achieved either conventionally by screwing or by axial clipping of the capsule on the bottle to facilitate the locking / unlocking of the packaging. Screwing and clipping are performed outside the sealing surfaces according to the invention.

In order to develop the establishment of the right level of sealing provided above, the invention also relates to the manufacturing technique of the packaging. Classically, a bottle of this type is produced by injection / blowing or extrusion / blowing. Or blowing imposes certain types of "blowable" shape and can therefore limit the chemical composition of plastics to those with a glass transition, for example polypropylene or polyethylene.

Another object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages, in particular it aims to obtain a higher surface state where high precision is required for sealing.

Achieving a less expensive packaging by the use of common materials or expanding the choice of materials usable to allow the implementation of new shapes and new decorations is also an objective of the invention, in particular: polystyrenics, for example in ABS (Acrylo-Butadiene-Styrene) or SAN (Styrene-Acrylo-Nitrile), polyesters, for example PET (Poly-Ethylene-Terephthalate) or PEN (Poly-Ethylene-Naphthalate), polyolefins such as PP (Poly - Propylenes) or PE (Poly-Ethylenes) or acetals, such as POM (Poly-Oxy-Methylene). In addition, the wide choice of usable materials also makes it possible to broaden the formulas of the products to be used, avoiding possible reactions while decreasing the permeability through the walls by migration of the solvent.

Furthermore, another object of the invention is to implement a technology as simple as possible.

The present invention also aims to allow the integration of all types of applicators, such as brush or foam applicator, and to allow a break in the use of this type of packaging by causing a novelty effect.

To achieve these objectives, the invention proposes to perform the molding in one piece by the technique of simple blow molding, in particular extrusion / blowing or injection / blowing, or by simple injection of plastic material, that is to say without blowing, at least one point located outside the sealing zone but, preferably, closer to the opening of the bottle. Under these conditions, the injection process ensures the best possible accuracy to the sealing area.

• la tige et la capsule sont réalisées par injection d'un même moulage formant une pièce unique ; et
• le matériau utilisé pour réaliser le conditionnement est pris parmi les polystyrènes, les polyoléfines, les polyesters, et les polyacétales.

According to particular embodiments:

• the stem and the capsule are made by injection of the same molding forming a single piece; and
• the material used to carry out the packaging is taken from polystyrenes, polyolefins, polyesters and polyacetals.

The wiper can be made by injection in a traditional manner, which extends the choice of the plastic material used (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or an elastomer) depending on the desired spinning hardness. The assembly of the wiper on the bottle is usually done by clipping.

The packaging according to the invention is also particularly suitable for oblong or elongated shapes, but may also be suitable for producing shapes which are difficult to produce by conventional methods, for example the square or polygonal shape with sharp angles. The continuity of any shape between the capsule and the bottle is then preserved by adjusting the capsule on the bottle, whether by screwing or clipping.

Advantageously, the control of the thickness of the walls of the bottle using the injection molding technique used, significantly improves the seal by weight loss, and the regularity of the decorations can be performed on these walls. The decoration may advantageously cover the entire surface, for example by applying shades by the printing of vignettes ("vignetting") by lithography or by offset process, by integrating different elements, for example the bar code or at least one window without decoration. when the material is transparent, to visualize the color of the product contained in the bottle.

It is also advantageous to customize the packaging at the factory, before filling, according to certain criteria (hue, formula or information in the language of the country) and then order the desired quantity from a single reference .

• les figures 1, 1a, 2, et 2a, des vues en coupe de conditionnements de l'état de la technique, à fermeture par vissage (déjà commentées) ;
• la figure 3, une vue de face d'une flaconnette conforme à l' invention ;
• la figure 4, une vue de face d'une capsule, conforme à l'invention, munie d'une tige et d'un applicateur sous forme de brosse ;
• la figure 5, une vue de face de l'ensemble flaconnette-capsule une fois fermée par clipsage ;
• les figures 6 et 6a, une vue en coupe longitudinale du même ensemble et une partie agrandie de cette coupe ; et
• les figures 7 et 7a, une vue en coupe longitudinale avec un agrandissement partiel d'un autre exemple de conditionnement selon la présente invention, dans le cas d'une fermeture par vissage.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended figures which represent, respectively:

• the FIGS. 1, 1a, 2, and 2a cross-sectional views of state-of-the-art packaging, screw-fastened (already commented);
• the figure 3 a front view of a bottle according to the invention;
• the figure 4 a front view of a capsule, according to the invention, provided with a rod and an applicator in the form of a brush;
• the figure 5 , a front view of the vial-capsule assembly once closed by clipping;
• the Figures 6 and 6a , a longitudinal sectional view of the same assembly and an enlarged portion of this section; and
• the Figures 7 and 7a , a longitudinal sectional view with a partial enlargement of another example of packaging according to the present invention, in the case of a screw closure.

In the figures, the same references have been used to designate identical or corresponding elements.

As it appears on the figure 3 an example of a bottle according to the invention is in the form of an elongate tube 1, substantially cylindrical about an axis X'X. The tube 1 contains a cosmetic product, mascara in the embodiment.

A closed end portion 10 of the tube is formed of a substantially spherical cap which is extended by a cylindrical body 11 of external diameter equal to 14 mm. This cylindrical body 11 is extended by another cylindrical body 12 of open end 14, and of slightly smaller outer diameter, equal to 12.5 mm in this example. This tube 12 has a circular contact with a radial bulge 13 of maximum external diameter approximately equal to 13 mm. This bulge 13 forms rib to define a clipping zone for the capsule described below.

The figure 4 illustrates, in front view, a hollow capsule 2 of revolution about an axis which coincides with the axis X'X of the bottle 1 after assembly, the hollow capsule being coupled to a rod 20 also centered around the same axis . On this rod 20 is mounted a brush 21, able to collect the mascara contained in the bottle. When the capsule 2 is clipped onto the bottle 1, the assembly has the appearance illustrated in FIG. figure 5 . The outer surfaces of the capsule 2 and the bottle 1, having cylindrical or quasi-cylindrical type shapes, advantageously provide a quasi-continuity of curvature in the external coupling zone Z1.

As can be seen from the sectional view of the same capsule-bottle assembly, as illustrated in FIG. figure 6 , the capsule 2 and the rod 20 are formed integrally molded. The clipping of the capsule 2 on the bottle 1 is carried out as illustrated more precisely on the enlargement of the figure 6a , from the boss 13 which cooperates with a groove 22 and a boss 23 formed on the inner face 2i of the capsule 2.

In order to ensure the tightness to prevent the evaporation of the mascara, the inner face 2i of the capsule 2 has an annular boss 24 disposed near the open end 14 of the bottle 1. The thickness of this boss 24 is adjusted so that the contact surface of the boss comes in tight support against the outer face 1 e of the bottle 1.

According to an alternative embodiment, the capsule and the rod are formed of two parts assembled or secured (welding, gluing, etc.). The capsule cooperates with the rod by their contact surfaces which ensure a tightened mounting of the rod in the capsule by producing a rod end of outer diameter slightly greater than the internal diameter of the capsule at the contact zone.

As shown in the sectional view of the figure 7 , and partially enlarged in figure 7a , the invention is not limited to locking by clipping. In this example, the lock is made by traditional screwing 100.

The radial annular sealing contact is formed by the annular boss 24 of the capsule which makes contact, in a tight fit, on a cylindrical zone 101, having a high precision surface state, and forming the upper part of the neck 12 of the vial 1. Because the sealing contact is radially exerted (force F ₃ ), the contact surfaces conform to one another without axial deformations.

The junction vial - capsule S4 is controlled precisely, without play, because of the tolerance offered by the width of the zone 101 on which the sealing is adjusted.

All the parts constituting the packaging according to the invention, namely the bottle, the capsule, the stem and the wiper, are produced by injection molding, without blowing. Such a method makes it possible, starting from injection nozzles, to form plastic parts in suitable molds and at temperatures corresponding to the plastics material used. In order to make this type of molding profitable, a number of adapted parts, for example 24, are produced simultaneously from drawers in which the molds are placed.

The injection points at the end of the oriented nozzles are advantageously distributed regularly and radially at one end of the mold corresponding to an area whose thickness must be rigorously calibrated, for example when, as in the present case, this critical zone corresponds to a sealing zone. At the other end, the closed mold has a vent point for evacuating the air contained in the mold during the introduction of the mandrel. During cooling, the Material shrinkage then occurs on the opposite side to the injection zone, ie far from the critical zone.

The materials used for the bottle and the capsule-rod are, in the exemplary embodiment, the PP or the POM, and for the wiper the LDPE (polyethylene butadiene).

Advantageously, the opening drawers of the mold for demolding the core formed during the injection makes it possible to produce the radial sealing rib. Under these conditions, the shrinkage formed by the removal of the material used during cooling, are not formed on the side of the sealing and seating areas of the wiper.

Claims (10)

1. Sealed package for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a vial (1) on which a wiper (3) is mounted, which vial (1) has a neck opening into an orifice, a cap (2) coupled with a rod (20) on which a brush (21) and means (100; 13, 22, 23) for interlocking the cap and the vial are mounted, characterised in that the seal is afforded by a radial annular contact (24) of the cap (2) directly on the neck (12) of the vial (1), said interlocking means being dissociated from the sealing zone (101) of the neck (12) of the vial.
2. Package as claimed in claim 1, in which the radial annular contact is established between a circumferential rib (24) of the cap (2) and a cylindrical zone of the neck (12), the surface qualities of which are controlled.
3. Package as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which an interference fit is provided between the rib (24) of the cap and the cylindrical zone of the neck (12).
4. Package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the surface qualities are controlled by means of a finishing operation on the moulds with respect to the dimensional accuracy, geometry and surface condition of moulding parts coinciding with the circumferential rib of the cap and the cylindrical zone of the neck of the vial, excluding from these moulding parts any technical element which might induce surface irregularities.
5. Package as claimed in the preceding claim, in which the interference of the fit is over-dimensioned in order to cause a reinforced conformation effect between the contact surfaces one on the other and taking account of the hardness of the material and its resistance to creep.
6. Package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which locking is effected by a screw fit (100) or axial clip-fit (13, 22, 23) of the cap (2) on the vial (1).
7. Package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the vial (1) is made by moulding plastic material in a single piece using one of the techniques selected from injection, extrusion/blowing, injection/blowing and blowing.
8. Package as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that if moulding is by injecting the material without blowing, the injection is effected at at least one point located outside of the sealing zone and as close as possible to the opening of the vial.
9. Package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the rod (20) and the cap (2) constitute a single piece made in a single moulding operation by injection.
10. Package as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the plastic material used to make the package is selected from polystyrenes, polyolefins, polyesters and polyacetals.

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